Scheduled Charter Service Planned to Five Bahamas Destinations from Fort Lauderdale, New York

In introducing its new Saab 2000 aircraft at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) on Monday, Texas-based Meregrass, Inc. announced plans to offer scheduled charter service to five Bahamas destinations from Fort Lauderdale and one from New York.

Jim Swieter, founder of IJet Charters, which is providing marketing and reservations for the scheduled charter, said the 30-passenger service will be unique to the market offering all premium class seating and high-speed travel.

“Pricing will be competitive,” said Swieter of the scheduled charter service, which is soon to be filed with the Department of Transportation (DOT). Swieter said all flights must be filed with DOT and all advance tickets purchased go into bonded DOT escrow accounts.

“Our plans are to fly direct scheduled flights -- April through August -- from Fort Lauderdale to Marsh Harbour, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Georgetown and North Eleuthera. “We also are looking to schedule a non-stop from New York to Marsh Harbour during that same high season.”

Swieter said the scheduled charters will fly out of Sheltair at FLL, which will streamline the check-in process. Some return flights will arrive at FLL Terminal 4.

Crewed by three, the Saab 2000 is a twin-engine high-speed aircraft with an average cruising speed of 425 mph with a maximum certified ceiling of 31,000 ft. and a non-stop range of 1,300 statute miles. Equipped with an “all glass” flight deck (Collins Pro-Line IV), Meregrass’ Saab 2000 is the first and only aircraft of its type to operate on a 135-charter certificate. It seats 30 passengers in a cabin designed to accommodate 50. Consequently the seat pitch provides ample legroom.

“This definitely will be the top-of-the-line service choice for all airlift currently servicing the Bahamas,” said Swieter, who added that all flights will offer complimentary beverages.

Source: Caribbean News Now